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General
Selsey West Beach lies to the west of Selsey. The unofficial naturist
beach is beyond the large West Sands Caravan Park, in the no man's land
between Selsey and Bracklesham.
Access & Parking
From the A27 (Chichester Bypass) take the B2145 to Selsey - it's about 7
miles. Drive straight through the town ignoring the East Beach sign and
continuing through two sets of lights. Take the right turn for West Sands
Caravan Park then follow the signs for the caravan park. Pass the windmill
and continue through the caravans (about a mile of them!) to the end of
the road where there is free parking. Turn right along the beach and the
unmarked naturist area starts after a few groynes.
Description
The south west facing beach is backed by a substantial shingle and grit
bank which prevents the sea sweeping inland. At high tide the beach is
reduced to this steep bank, at mid tide pebble strewn coarse sand appears
and at low tide there's also an expanse of flat but wet sand.
It's two miles along the beach to Bracklesham so there is plenty of space, but the beach is overlooked from the bank. Making the trek to the middle will limit the passing traffic to the more energetic walkers and occasional mountain biker.
The atmosphere is bracing as Selsey Bill protrudes well out into the Channel. The groynes afford some protection, but a windbreak would be an asset on all but calm, warm days.
If you are interested in the history of Selsey beaches, the book 'Voices From The Sea' by Ruth Cocks is full of stories from people about Selsey, from local coastguards, divers, fishermen and lifeboat crew members. All proceeds from the book go to local charities.
Facilities
None on the beach itself but the caravan park has everything you might
need, and a lot you could well do without: funfair, leisure centre, sauna
centre - and caravans, thousands of caravans. (But you can get more than
far enough away from them.)
Water Quality
Bracklesham Bay is not near major industry or ports and the water quality
is good.
Trip Report: July 2002 - by Mike
"11/7/2002. I went to Selsey West Beach today - twice. In the morning, despite it being July 11th, the chilly wind left the beach deserted - not even a textile in sight. In the afternoon it was slightly warmer but apart from one brave windsurfer (textile), again deserted. With the tide half way out there is some sand, and more sand the further along you go. This picture was taken midway between Selsey and Bracklesham.
13/7/2002. Saturday, and slightly more beach-friendly weather. But, oh dear, no naturists. Just a few textiles on the caravan site beach. One 30s bloke on the "naturist" beach looked as though he wanted to be, but didn't like to as he would have been the only one.
The bank behind the beach looks as though it has recently been reinforced. It is flat and road-like on top which makes it easy walking - and means the beach is completely overlooked. Today there were even a few mountain bikers making the round trip to Bracklesham. I wonder: was the bank previously a more natural shape, making it harder to walk and look?
15/7/2002. Monday morning. Hot day, so went to the beach full of expectation. But only one person on the whole expanse of naturist beach: half way along, male in posing pouch who had cycled there. Further along and with no-one in sight I had a quick naked dip.
16/7/2002. Tuesday afternoon. Bad news: beach deserted. Good news: had a whole mile of naturist beach to myself!
Well, if nothing else I hope this report gives you a good idea of who you are likely to see - or rather not see - when you visit this beach. This is the nearest naturist (if is it) beach to me so I'd be most interested to hear from anyone (email Mike) who uses it or has in the past.
If amongst English beaches Studland Bay scores 10 out of 10 and Birling Gap and Norman's Bay 2 or 3, I'd rate Selsey a 3 - 6. Three if you're the only person there and sticking out like a sore thumb, six if a knot of naturists were there to neutralise nonconformism nerves."
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